Staffordshire's Forgotten Workhouse
Andy Sloane
- Regions:
- England, Staffordshire, West Mids
- Notice Period:
- Regular (more than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Amateur
- Fee:
- Paid: £60, no travel expenses for talks within 10 miles of Wolverhampton
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 2nd November 2025
- Tagged:
- Staffordshire | Workhouse | Poor Law | Social History
In Victorian England, the question haunted every parish: what should be done with the poor? The answer, in 1834, was the workhouse — a place meant to provide food, shelter, and discipline… but remembered today for something far darker.
Hidden among the lanes of Trysull, the Seisdon Union Workhouse served the surrounding villages — from Wombourne to Tettenhall, Pattingham to Kinver. Built in 1860, it stood for decades, shaping countless lives — and then, somehow, slipped quietly from memory.
Join me, as we uncover the stories of those who lived and worked behind its walls — and rediscover a forgotten chapter of Staffordshire’s social history.
Views: 12 | Enquiries: 0About Andy Sloane
I’m the founder and chair of The Museum of Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire and have spent many years researching and sharing the fascinating history of our region. I was previously a member of The Wolverhampton Society, and my main areas of research include Jewish history in Wolverhampton, healthcare and mental healthcare in the Black Country, and local workhouses, although I am always researching new topics.
I have a strong passion for local history, genealogy and true crime, and I enjoy bringing the past to life through the stories of real people and places. My talks are designed to be both informative, visually interesting and engaging, making history accessible and relevant to a wide variety of audiences.
I’m based in Wolverhampton and happy to travel across the Black Country, South Staffordshire, and neighbouring Shropshire to give talks. I bring my own laptop—so all I need is a projector and screen. As I work full-time for the NHS, I usually prefer evening talks, though I can do daytime sessions with enough notice.
Send a message to the speaker
If you are interested in this talk and wish to contact the speaker, please complete the following form: